Wamalwa criticises govt over KDF resource crisis amid lavish spending
Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has criticised the government over what he termed as misplaced priorities and neglect of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), even as the state splashes billions on questionable programmes and military hardware.
Speaking on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, during an interview on a local radio station, Wamalwa questioned the government’s commitment to the welfare of KDF personnel, citing reports of soldiers going without necessities such as food, despite multi-billion shilling expenditures on new aircraft and other equipment.
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“In terms of equipment, our military is one of the most professional militaries. Of course, just like an arrow, you must continue sharpening the arrowhead. We must continue investing in better equipment and better training for our men and women in uniform, but when soldiers are being denied lunch, there is a real crisis,” he said.
The former Defence Cabinet Secretary expressed outrage at the disparity between billions spent on new jets, said to cost over Ksh70 billion, even as the government says there are no funds to sustain daily meals for active duty personnel.
“It is the first time you are seeing pay-as-you-eat in the military. The same soldier who goes out there to make us safe in Kismayu and other dangerous areas is now being told, As you fight, feed yourself,” he remarked.
His remarks come weeks after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claimed that President William Ruto had sent a delegation to Vietnam to purchase military-grade aircraft.
Speaking on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Ambassadors of Christ Church in Mwea Constituency, Kirinyaga County, for church service, Gachagua accused the Head of State of misusing state resources while key sectors such as education and social welfare remain underfunded.
“Officers from the military and from the Office of the President have been dispatched to Vietnam to purchase two executive jets and eight helicopters at a cost of more than 70 billion shillings,” he revealed.
The Democracy for Citizens (DCP) Party leader scoffed at Ruto, saying the government is prioritising unnecessary expenditure at the expense of key sectors such as health and education, which he lamented are in shipwreck.
Cosmetic empowerment?
“When our children are at home, when hospitals have no medicine. SHA is a scam. William Ruto has purchased their own machines. They have delivered a hospital in Kenya, and SHA is collecting, is pay them later, said SHA is the greatest scheme to have ever happened,” Gachagua stated.
Wamalwa also took a swipe at what he termed cosmetic empowerment programmes which he claims are being used as avenues for political patronage rather than meaningful development.
“You bring 10,000 teachers and spend Ksh100 million, giving each Ksh10,000, and you say you’re empowering them. How? Where is all this money coming from?” he posed.
Moreover, he accused the government of neglecting critical sectors like education and healthcare while channelling funds into questionable initiatives and politically motivated handouts.
“You are saying you do not have enough money for capitation, for our children’s education, or for health, and these are critical areas,” he said.
